LCSW, 5 years of experience
New to Grow
Hello! My name is Vanessa Gonzalez, and I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with five years of experience providing therapy for adults navigating life’s challenges. My background in social work has shaped my understanding of how our environments, relationships, and experiences impact mental health. I’m passionate about helping clients explore these influences to create meaningful and lasting change. I’m currently completing my doctorate in social work at the University of Alabama, specializing in clinical social work and focusing on reproductive justice. This background informs my holistic approach, blending compassion with evidence-based techniques to help clients feel empowered and understood.
Our first session moves entirely at your pace—there is never any pressure to share more than you feel ready to. My goal is to get to know what brings you to therapy, your background, and your goals for the future. We’ll take time to explore your story, and by the second session, we’ll begin identifying what you’d like to achieve through our work together. I want you to leave each session feeling supported, informed, and clear about the process we’re building together.
I’m often told that I bring a calm, grounded presence to therapy, and I strive to make each session feel welcoming and collaborative. My approach is flexibly structured—I’ll meet you where you are, whether you prefer structured exercises or open exploration. I enjoy using interactive tools like worksheets and visual aids to help clarify thoughts, build insight, and support problem-solving in a tangible way. Above all, I aim to create a space where you can be yourself and feel safe to grow.
I work best with adults who feel stuck in unhelpful patterns—perhaps comparing themselves to others, feeling unmotivated, or reacting in ways that don’t align with their goals. Whether you’re experiencing anxiety, ADHD, grief, stress, or adjusting to major life changes, therapy can be a space to better understand your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we’ll identify what’s holding you back and develop strategies to help you feel more grounded, confident, and connected in your daily life.
I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all therapy or “quick fixes.” Instead, I prefer to offer a thoughtful, steady space for self-understanding, self-compassion, and sustainable change. I pull from several modalities to best suit your needs- whether that's exploring how your past is influencing you now or practicing new tools to help you navigate today's stressors.